Exit: Cesar Ruiz
As expected/hinted at/hoped against all year, Michigan's star center announced he's leaving early for the NFL
All Glory To The Most High LOVE pic.twitter.com/DG0S3bVI51
— King Ruiz 〰️ (@_OverCees) January 3, 2020
Ruiz came to Michigan as the rarest of prospects: a five-star center who'd actually played center in high school. Cesar pipped Michael Onwenu at right guard late in 2017 and took over at center the last two season, over which time Michigan's previously manifest interior pass protection issues suddenly disappeared. How much of that was Warinner and growth from Bredeson/Onwenu, and how much was due to the preparation and line calls of Ruiz is impossible to tell from film. Also impossible to tell: how much of Ruiz's tendency to move too quickly to the linebacker level was Michigan's scheme versus Ruiz's decision-making.
That tendency is probably why Ruiz didn't become the Rimington finalist we projected him to be this season. His strong film against Alabama's Raekwon Davis, Michigan State's Raequan Williams, Penn State's Robert Windsor, and Ohio State's hoard of hellbeasts should be enough to ensure at least a 3rd round pick, while his natural athleticism could see him leap to the 1st, where some analysts already have him. I don't know how the Colts are fixed for centers these days but the Indiana and Notre Dame games from this year will stick out as Ruiz's most dominant performances.
It does make the decision of former backup C Stephen Spanellis to grad transfer this offseason more of a blow. To that: bowl practice observers reported redshirting freshman Zach Carpenter was taking second-team snaps last month. Combine that with a bunch of fall hype from the coaches and it's a fair bet Carpenter is now the leading candidate to follow Ruiz. Fellow 2019 recruits Nolan Rumler and Jack Stewart were also potential centers as recruits, and preferred walk-on Andrew Vastardis, who's been involved in various position battles for a few years, played some center in garbage time this year as Spanellis was repping at guard case he was needed.
January 3rd, 2020 at 5:02 PM ^
I'll never forget his commitment video. One of the best/funniest ones I've seen.
Good luck young man!
January 3rd, 2020 at 5:22 PM ^
Ugh. Good luck, but I really wanted him back.
We’ve got talent in the pipeline now for the first time since... mid 2000s? But a senior center would be a huge asset with two new guards, no matter how good they are.
We are now replacing 4/5 of our OL. That’s rough even if we have top 100 types behind them.
January 3rd, 2020 at 5:34 PM ^
But 2 of the guys taking over spots have started before and have at least a full season of playing OL on special teams. And they're both grown men and not freshmen or redshirt freshmen. Makes the proposition of slotting in two top 100 types as first time starters seem a lot less scary.
January 3rd, 2020 at 6:02 PM ^
Yeah, I was just rewatching the first half of the bowl and wishing that the line was coming back. We may have to endure another maturation process next year. But such are things.
Anyway, good luck to Mr. Ruiz. It's hard to argue with leaving if you can go in at least the third round.
January 3rd, 2020 at 8:58 PM ^
Isn't there a significant difference between first round money and second round money? Enough that delaying a year might be worthwhile?
January 3rd, 2020 at 10:32 PM ^
There is. There is also the possibility of a major injury. But it wouldn't be crazy to come back.
January 4th, 2020 at 6:32 AM ^
Hes not going in 1 or 2.
3-4 is abut peak possible. Biadasz is considered much better and is a early 2nd rounder.
January 3rd, 2020 at 6:52 PM ^
Yeah I wasn't too worried about the line next year with Ruiz coming back. We got enough guys to fill in 3 slots. You figure there are enough bullets in the chamber. 4 definitely makes things more worrisome. Of course some of the new guys will be good. Chances that the line will take some step back are near 100 percent now. Not that it will be a tire fire of course.
January 3rd, 2020 at 5:31 PM ^
Sorry, call me old fashioned but this trend of guys leaving their teams early (which has been exacerbated over the past 10-15 years) will ultimately end up hurting college football.
January 3rd, 2020 at 9:05 PM ^
I could see leaving if you are projected to go high. I don’t see why Ruiz is leaving. He seems like a guy that could easily improve his stock next year....unless HE thinks he has peaked.
January 3rd, 2020 at 5:58 PM ^
Best if luck to Cesar, a great player.
Btw, "hoping against" anyone turning pro early is gross.
January 3rd, 2020 at 6:46 PM ^
I'm a Michigan fan, man. It's alright to hope Michigan gets their pro-caliber players to return. It's not like I fault him or think less of him for his decision.
January 3rd, 2020 at 6:20 PM ^
Next!
January 3rd, 2020 at 6:21 PM ^
So Spanellis left as the heir apparent at C. Neg away if you must, but this is a pattern with this regime.
At least we have Warinner.
January 3rd, 2020 at 6:48 PM ^
If you read the article you would know that he seems to be leaving because he was passed on the depth chart by a red shirt freshman. That is not a bad thing for the team's future.
January 3rd, 2020 at 11:09 PM ^
Hmm, I read that as Carpenter was taking second-team reps at C *because* Spanellis had decided to leave.
If in fact he was passed, then it's no big deal and I take it back.
January 3rd, 2020 at 6:35 PM ^
Rumors popping up of Jeter and Filiaga hitting the portal.
(Edit: already addressed by Umbig in the other Ruiz thread.)
I have to conclude that these two have been passed.
January 3rd, 2020 at 6:56 PM ^
Man, even OL are hitting the portal the second they get passed now? I can't blame the players for that but making it hard to develop and keep players.
January 4th, 2020 at 8:54 AM ^
Filiaga was in Ruiz's class and I honestly can't remember him ever being on the field other than maybe a spring game or garbage time. So that's 3 years of not playing. I really don't have issue with a guy entering his senior year wanting to actually play football sometime in his college career
January 4th, 2020 at 2:02 PM ^
On the surface it seemed as though Jeter got more playing time in the bowl than he had any other game. Who knows if that was a reward for good practice time going into the bowl or an attempt to keep in in the fold (or both). There's really not one transfer (since Harbaugh has arrived) that has really bothered me. I totally get someone who wants a different opportunity, who doesn't fit in, who has a family issue, or even gets impatient with his situation. But, either or both of these happening would be really worrisome. With 4 OL positions (and backups) open and basically 4 or 5 rotational DT slots to be had, there are many opportunities for these guys to step up and compete. At some point, it becomes difficult to keep replacing upperclassmen (in whom you've invested time and coaching) with freshmen. You're never going to close any recruiting gap with that kind of attrition.
January 3rd, 2020 at 6:44 PM ^
Hail Cesar.
January 3rd, 2020 at 7:15 PM ^
Sure...but how do you feel about John O'Neill?
January 3rd, 2020 at 7:23 PM ^
Seems like a mistake as Junior lineman are not drafted very high. Must not like academics enough to get the degree to prepare for a higher end Plan B.
January 3rd, 2020 at 7:33 PM ^
Yeah... that's it.
1. Underclassmen OL go high in the draft all the time. Like every year.
2. How do you know how he feels about class, a degree or how much progress he's made towards his degree.
But yeah...you got it.
January 3rd, 2020 at 8:17 PM ^
True, maybe he can graduate this winter but I doubt it otherwise he would have said that in his tweet.
He is not highly ranked draft-wise so only logical to assume academics doesn’t rank high on his priorities. Thus, get whatever he can in the draft. That was my take. Not a choice I would make but each person has to make a choice for themselves.
Edit - if he flames out after a 5th round draft spot what does he do for a career? 24 years old without a college degree is a dead end. NFL = Not For Long
Contrast that to senior Bredeson who will earn his degree, named All-American, likely drafted 2nd round. The NFL wants achievement from its OL prospects. Ruiz gets that same national recognition from his senior year in my opinion.
January 3rd, 2020 at 9:14 PM ^
If he flames out as a 5th round pick in 4 years he’ll use his 3 million dollars earned to pay for a years tuition I’d guess. But I doubt he drops that far and not sure why you’re even making this argument. His decision has been made, may as well support him for his efforts at Michigan.
January 3rd, 2020 at 10:16 PM ^
Sorry, this is an awful take. I can’t blame anyone for leaving school to grab millions of dollars - especially since he can finish his degree down the road if he wants. I wished he stayed, but I can’t blame him and I won’t insult him by questioning his commitment to academics.
January 3rd, 2020 at 7:30 PM ^
In Coach Ed we trust. Best OL coach in recent UM history.
It will be quite the OL competition in spring ball, summer conditioning and fall camp. But the raw material is definitely there to develop an excellent new OL unit.
Go Blue !!!
January 3rd, 2020 at 7:33 PM ^
Spanellis...please come back.
January 3rd, 2020 at 9:14 PM ^
Weird, didn't expect this. Kind of a disappointing career.
January 3rd, 2020 at 9:35 PM ^
As long as Vastardis keeps blocking guys onto the track, we'll be a'ight.
January 5th, 2020 at 5:40 PM ^
That was Spanellis.
January 3rd, 2020 at 9:58 PM ^
This is what happens when you have to leave a college football program to get paid.
January 3rd, 2020 at 10:06 PM ^
OL is not an issue now. Keep em rolling over. Perfect.
January 3rd, 2020 at 10:18 PM ^
OL leaving early. Balls. Should be worth following this.
January 4th, 2020 at 12:47 AM ^
So best guess...
Hayes
Steuber
Carpenter
Rumler
Mayfield
Please stay healthy
January 4th, 2020 at 8:10 AM ^
Those who stay will become ch—
eh fuck it, probably not.
January 4th, 2020 at 11:55 AM ^
restocking the O-line for '20 will be a challenge... going to need to find or create some diamonds out of the rough
January 4th, 2020 at 12:38 PM ^
That graphic is awesome. Wonder if the athletic department did it?
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